An electrical current is applied to the coil of wire, while it is placed over a

permanent magnet. The permanent magnetic underneath the coil has a magnetic
field that extends from its north pole to its south. The current in the wire produces a
magnetic field and is an electromagnet. The same principle that makes 2 like poles
repel and 2 opposite poles attract, allows for the rotary motion of the coil. The north
pole of the coil is repelled by the north pole of the electromagnet. Every half
rotation the coil does, its north side flips to a south pole, while the South Pole
changes to a north pole. This is due to the current traveling in the opposite direction
when it has turned 180 degrees.